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Naqsabandiyah followers start fasting on Thursday
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Obedient: Naqsabandiyah followers perform tarawih (evening Ramadhan prayers) at Baru Mosque in Binuang Cupak Tangah subdistrict, Pauh district, Padang, West Sumatra, on May 24. The sect decided the start of Ramadhan fell on Thursday. (Antara/Muhammad Arif Pribadi)
R
amadhan began for Naqsabandiyah Al Kholidiyah followers on Thursday, one day before an isbat (confirmation) meeting is to be held by the government to decide the first day of the holy month.
Naqsabandiyah leader Syekh Muda Muhammad Nur Zikri said the beginning of Ramadhan had been marked by the organizing of tarawih (evening Ramadhan prayers) on Wednesday.
He said tarawih had been conducted in all pocket areas of Naqsabandiyah followers across Indonesia, including at the sect’s headquarters on Jl. Kongsi Marendal, Deli Serdang regency, North Sumatra.
“We performed tarawih on Wednesday evening because based on our calculations, the beginning of Ramadhan was on Thursday,” Nur Zikri told journalists in Medan on Thursday.
(Read also: An Nadzir followers start Ramadhan on Friday)
He further said Naqsabandiyah followers determined the start of Ramadhan using hisab (astronomical calculations) based on the Islamic calendar.
Using a similar method, Naqsabandiyah followers determined the first day of Syawal (the tenth month on the Islamic calendar), he went on.
“We will celebrate Idul Fitri on June 24,” said Nur Zikri. (ebf)
